JP2001134508A - Device, system, and method for message processing - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a portable message processor which can unitedly manage and operate mail addressed to some user. SOLUTION: This message processor 200 which is carried by a user and used while connected to a different network occasionally, recognizes the network to which the device is connected (205), determines a communication method for accessing message server groups (207) by referring to a rule table regarding the communication method for accessing the message server groups, takes a message group distributed to the user out of the message server groups by using the determined communication method, and stores the message group in a message storage part 203 and outputs the stored message group (104) at request from other devices which are connected to the same network with this device and input and output messages.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a message processing device, a message processing system, and a message processing method for exchanging messages with a message server on a network.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a device for reading and writing e-mails anytime and anywhere, a small-sized device such as a mobile phone equipped with a function of reading and writing e-mails or a dedicated device for reading and writing e-mails having a small display device and an input device is known. Many devices have been developed, such as devices and notebook PCs that are small enough to carry a general-purpose personal computer (PC).

[0003] When these devices are miniaturized to make them easy to carry, the display device and input device become smaller, and thus the usability tends to be impaired. It has the conflicting problem that portability tends to be compromised.

For this reason, for example, when one user goes out, he carries a portable device to read and write e-mail,
In offices and homes, the use of devices such as PCs, which are different from portable devices for reading and writing e-mails, has been frequently used. However, in this case, it is difficult to cooperate data of a portable device and a device such as a PC used for reading and writing e-mail in an office or at home without inconsistency.

[0005]

As described above,
In the conventional mail processing device, operability is impaired when importance is placed on portability, and portability is not obtained when importance is placed on operability. In addition, when one user uses both a portable device and an easy-to-operate device, a specific e-mail can only be read and written by a specific device. Was. In other words, unified operation and unified management of mail could not be performed.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and provides a portable message processing device, a message processing system, and a message processing method that can uniformly manage and operate mail addressed to a certain user. The purpose is to:

Another object of the present invention is to provide a message processing device, a message processing system, and a message processing method that can enjoy both portability and operability.

[0008]

Means for Solving the Problems The present invention (claim 1) provides:
A message processing device carried by a user and used at different times by connecting to different networks, wherein a plurality of message servers (for example, POP servers) distributed on a plurality of networks are grouped in accordance with the designation of the user. Means for registering, means for recognizing a network to which the own apparatus is connected, means for determining a communication method for accessing the registered message server group, and using the determined communication method, the message server From the group, messages delivered to the user (eg,
(E-mail) group (which may be taken out in consideration of the conditions specified by the user), storing means in its own device, and storing the stored message group in a message connected to the same network as its own device. Means for outputting (in some cases, editing and outputting) in response to a request from another device that performs input / output (for example, an IMAP client).

According to the present invention, messages can be collected at one location (message processing device) regardless of the location or equipment used, and can be carried around. At this time, for example, messages (basically all) stored in the message server group are transferred to the message processing device, and are deleted from the message server. However, a policy of storing data on the message server for backup of the message data is also conceivable. In the latter case, only unread messages will be copied to the message processing device. Also, for example, a policy can be set such that a message with a large capacity is not copied when the communication state is poor. Regarding reading by another device, it is preferable to show the message while holding it in the message processing device instead of passing the message. This makes it possible to prevent the messages collected in the message processing device from being dispersed.

In the present invention, a protocol (communication method) to be used for fetching a message is changed according to a positional relationship between a network to which a message processing device is connected and a network in which a message server exists. Further, in addition to the fact that the network to be connected at each time is different, there is also a possibility that other devices connected to the same network at each time are different. That is,
The user can use the message processing device he is carrying with other devices attached to the location (for example, a desktop PC in a company).
C, a notebook PC at home, a mobile phone at home, etc.) and work with the message processing device and the other device as one (mail) client. As a result, the (mail) user has a problem that, in the case of POP, a message that has been captured by a certain computer cannot be seen from another computer, and that if the captured message is left without being deleted from the message server, the other computer Problem that history management becomes difficult, IM
In the case of the AP, the problem that the message can be viewed only within one message server can be solved.

As described above, according to the present invention, messages delivered from a plurality of information servers on a network can be centrally managed by a message processing device.
The messages stored in the message processing device can be uniformly operated. In addition, good operability can be obtained by using the user interface of another device with which the message processing device cooperates, and good portability can be obtained by providing the message processing device with a user interface. For example, in offices and homes,
By making the data handled by C and the data handled by the portable device the same, the data can be linked without contradiction, and if a device such as a PC that is easy to display and input can be used, it can be operated using this. Function can be realized.

Preferably, the message group collected from the message server group and stored in the storage means in the message processing device is stored in accordance with a condition specified by a user (for example, periodically and / or when a predetermined condition is satisfied). (For example, once a day, for unsaved items), means for storing in an external storage device may be further provided. Preferably, the message group collected from the message server group, stored in the storage means in the message processing device, and stored in the external storage device is stored in the external storage device according to a condition specified by the user (for example, periodically and / or at a predetermined time). (For example, once a day has passed for one month), a means for erasing may be further provided.
Further, for example, the deletion may be performed only when the data size of the message group collected from the message server group exceeds the size of the storage unit in the message processing device.

Preferably, when the request is received from another device that performs the message input / output, the output unit responds to a function (eg, a processable procedure or a display function) of the other device. Then, the message group collected from the message server group and stored in the storage unit in the message processing device may be processed and transmitted.

Preferably, the message processing device comprises:
An inquiry may be made about the network domain to which the own server is connected, and using this, the accessible message server group among the registered message server groups and the communication conditions for the access may be determined.

[0015] Preferably, for another device that performs message input / output connected to the same network as the own device, by a spontaneous advertisement in the network or in response to an inquiry from the other device, A means for notifying the address of the own device may be further provided.

Preferably, in response to a request from a user input from an input device attached to the own device, the message server group is accessed via a public wireless network terminal device built in or externally connected to the own device. Means for acquiring and storing a message, and displaying a message stored in the own device on a display screen associated with the own device in response to a request from a user input from an input device associated with the own device. Means may be further provided.

The present invention (claim 8) is a message processing device carried by a user and used by connecting to a different network at each time, wherein the message input / output is connected to the same network as the own device. Means for notifying the address of the own apparatus (to change the message server setting (for example, SMTP server setting) of the other apparatus) to another apparatus which performs the request, and in response to a request from the other apparatus, Means for temporarily storing a transmission message input from the other device; and a plurality of message servers (for example, SMT) distributed on a plurality of networks.
P server), a means for specifying a message server having reachability to the destination of the transmission message (for example, by manual setting or an inquiry to a DNS server), and the message server temporarily stored in the specified message server. Means for transferring a transmission message.

According to the present invention, a desired message can be transmitted from another device for inputting and outputting a message connected to the same network as the message processing device via the message processing device. At this time, for example, by notifying the address of the own device to another device, the SMTP server setting of the other device is changed to the message processing device. In this case, the message processing device itself becomes an SMTP server and transmits mail.

According to the present invention (claim 9), a message processing device carried by a user and used by connecting to a different network at each time, and a message input to the message processing device connected on the same network are provided. A message processing system for exchanging messages with a plurality of message servers distributed on a plurality of networks specified by a user, the message processing device comprising: Means for notifying the address of its own device to other devices that perform message input / output connected to the same network as the device,
Accessing the message server group according to a pre-registered information on a communication method for accessing the plurality of message server groups from the network to which the own apparatus is connected, and extracting the message group delivered to the user Means for storing the message group in its own device, in response to a request from the other device, means for outputting the stored message group to the other device, and in response to a request from the other device. Means for transferring, from among the transmission messages input from the other device, those having reachability from the network to which the own device is connected to the destination message server.

The present invention (claim 10) relates to a message processing method in a message processing device carried by a user and connected to different networks at different times, and recognizes a network to which the own device is connected. A communication method for accessing the registered message server group by referring to information about a communication method for accessing the plurality of message server groups from a network to which the own apparatus is connected, registered in advance; Using the determined communication method, fetching a message group delivered to the user from the message server group, storing the message group in the own device, and storing the stored message group in the same device as the own device. Output in response to a request from another device that inputs and outputs messages connected to the network And it features.

The present invention relating to the message processing apparatus is applicable to a message processing method including a message processing method and a message processing system including another apparatus for inputting / outputting a message. The same applies (for example, the present invention relating to the method is also valid as the invention relating to the apparatus).

Further, the present invention relating to an apparatus or a method is provided for causing a computer to execute a procedure corresponding to the present invention (or for causing a computer to function as means corresponding to the present invention, or a computer corresponding to the present invention). The present invention is also realized as a computer-readable recording medium in which a program for realizing the function of performing the above is recorded.

[0023]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of a network system to which the message processing device according to the present embodiment connects.

This network system is a global network, the Internet (Internet).
t) Multiple Internet Services via 80
The network configuration is such that a provider (ISP) and a plurality of in-house LANs (or intranets) are connected to each other (FIG. 1 shows only one ISP 70 and one in-house LAN 90).

Message processing device (MobileCor)
e) 200 is a portable device, which can be (directly) connected to an ISP or an in-house LAN by wireless communication or wired communication. FIG. 1 illustrates an example in which the message processing device 200 is connected to the in-house LAN 90.

It is assumed that the user of the message processing apparatus 200 has an account in one or more ISPs and one or more in-house LANs, or two or more ISPs, or two or more in-house LANs. For example, the message processing device 200 has accounts in the ISP 70 and the in-house LAN 90, respectively. That is, the message processing device 200 can handle electronic mail addressed to a plurality of mail addresses of the user.

The ISP 70 has an SMTP server 101 serving as a sending mail server and a PO server serving as a receiving mail server.
A P server 102 is installed.

The in-house LAN 90 includes a firewall (F) located at the boundary between the LAN and another network.
ireWall) 104, SOCKS server 111 used when transferring mail across firewall 104, SMTP server 10 which is a sending mail server
5. A POP server 106 as a receiving mail server, a DHCP server 110 for dynamically assigning an IP address to a device connected to the LAN, a DNS server 109, and a user agent 107 for providing a user with a function of reading and writing mail are installed. ing.

Here, the functions of the above-described devices relating to the present embodiment are summarized as follows.

The SMTP server 101 has a function of receiving a mail transmitted by a user who has an account in the ISP 70 and delivering the mail to a destination indicated by the mail as a proxy.

The POP server 102 has a function of temporarily storing mail addressed to a user having an account in the ISP 70 and delivering the mail according to a request from the user.

The Internet 103 serves to connect various networks.

The firewall 104 functions to pass only communication data that satisfies the passage condition and to block communication data that does not satisfy the passage condition (or satisfies the cutoff condition) at the connection between the Internet 103 and the in-house LAN 90. .

The SOCKS server 111 performs user authentication on the connected user as to whether or not the user is a registered user, and then processes communication data that does not satisfy the passage condition of the firewall 104 so as to satisfy the passage condition.
It functions to pass through the firewall 104.

The SMTP server 105 is connected to the in-house LAN 9
Receives the mail sent by the user connected to 0,
Acts as a proxy delivery to the address indicated in the mail.

The POP server 106 is connected to the in-house LAN 90.
To temporarily store mail for users connected to
Deliver mail according to user's request.

The DNS server 109 is connected to the in-house LAN 90.
It provides a function to convert between an IP address and a host name in response to an inquiry from a device connected to a server, and a function to derive a mail delivery destination from a domain name.

The DHCP server 110 is connected to the in-house LAN 9
In response to a request from a device connected to the device 0, an IP address is dynamically allocated and the IP address is notified. Also,
In response to an inquiry from a device connected to the in-house LAN 90, the server also notifies the IP address of the DNS server 109.

The user agent 107 operates a user interface for a user to read and write mail.

The message processing device 200 receives a mail addressed to the user from a POP server (for example, the POP server 102 or the POP server 106), accumulates and manages the received mail, and stores the received mail in another device (for example, A function of presenting mail data in response to a browsing request from the user agent 107, a home computer, etc.)
It serves to transmit to the P server or another server that relays to the corresponding SMTP server.

Although not shown in FIG. 1, the message processing apparatus 200 can be connected to a stand-alone computer or a home computer connected to a home network existing at the home of the user of the message processing apparatus 200. This home computer can be operated as the same or similar to the user agent 107 described above.

Next, FIG. 2 shows a configuration example of a message processing device according to the present embodiment.

The message processing device 200 includes a client mechanism 21 including a message collection unit 201 and a message delivery transmission unit 202a, a message storage unit 203, a message presentation unit 204, and a message delivery reception unit 202b.
And an assist mechanism 23 including a network detection unit 205, a service public information unit 206, and a patrol control unit 207.

The message collection unit 201 collects mail from the POP server.

The message delivery / transmission unit 202a receives a mail from another device (for example, the user agent 107, a home computer, or the like) and transmits the message to the SMTP server.

The message storage unit 203 stores the mail collected by the message collection unit 201.

The message presenting unit 204 presents the mail stored in the message storing unit 203 to another device (such as a user agent).

The message delivery / reception unit 202b receives a mail from another device (user agent or the like) and stores it in the message storage unit 203.

The network detector 205 detects the environment of the network to which the message processing device 200 is connected.

The service information unit 206 notifies another device (user agent or the like) on the network to which the message processing device 200 is connected that the message processing device 200 is present.

The patrol control unit 207 includes the client mechanism 2
1 indicates an object to be accessed.

In the present embodiment, the message processing device 200 allows the user to operate the mail using a graphical user interface (GUI) or the like (similar to a portable device dedicated to mail or a notebook PC equipped with a mail function). Editing, browsing, searching, etc.).

Here, the message processing device 20
0 performs wireless communication, the wireless communication device is connected to the outside and used, but of course, the message processing device 200 may have a built-in wireless communication function.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described in more detail.

First, the case where the message processing device 200 connects to a network such as the in-house LAN 90 will be described.

The user carries the message processing device 200 and connects the message processing device 200 to a network such as an intranet of the office where the user works.

When the message processing device 200 is connected to a network, the network detecting unit 205 sends a DHC message to the network (internal LAN 90).
P (Dynamic Host Configurat)
and requesting the allocation of an address by broadcast using the ION Protocol.

Upon receiving this request, the DHCP server 110 dynamically assigns an IP address, and notifies the message processing device 200 of the assigned IP address and the IP address of the DNS server 109 together.

The network detection unit 205 of the message processing device 200 receives the assigned IP address and the IP address of the DNS server 109.
The message presentation unit 204 operates with the assigned IP address (= m).

The service information unit 206 of the message processing device 200 sends information indicating that the message presenting unit 204 operates with the IP address = m to, for example, an SLP (Ser
The device is notified in the network using a "Vice Location Protocol".

[0062] The user agent 107 transmits "information on the message presenting unit 204 operating in the message processing unit 200 (for example, the IP address at which the message presenting unit 204 operates) advertised in the network by the message processing unit 200. ) ", For example, by running an SLP client (process)
IMAP (Internet Message)
update the setting of the server (eg, the message presentation unit 204 using the IMA).
Set as P server. Note that the user agent 107 sends a message of a predetermined format for discovering the message processing device 200 to the network, and the message processing device 200 that has detected the message sends a response message to the user agent 107, so that the user The message processing device 20 in which the agent 107 is connected in the same network
0 may be found. After this procedure, the user agent 107 can operate the message processing device 200.

When the PC such as a home computer functioning as the user agent 107 is directly connected to the message processing device 200, a procedure for connecting them may be performed instead of the above-described procedure.

Next, a case where the message processing device 200 operates in response to a request from another device such as the user agent 107 will be described.

First, the message processing device 200 sets the POP
Server (for example, POP server 102 or POP server 10)
The case where the mail addressed to the user from 6) is received and stored will be described.

By the way, since the message processing device 200 can be connected by moving over the network,
Depending on the relationship between the network to which the message processing device 200 is currently connected and the network in which the target POP server is installed, or the environment of the connected network, the POP is sent from the message processing device 200 to the POP server.
The method of accessing the server may be different.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the message processing apparatus 200 has a network (an object PO
A rule table (.getmai) preliminarily defines a relationship between a network in which the P server exists, a network to which the message processing apparatus 200 is currently connected, and an access method at that time.
lrc), and the route to the target POP server is derived with reference to this rule table.

The contents of the rule table can be set in consideration of not only a criterion of whether data actually arrives but also an access policy in each network.

FIG. 3 shows an example of the rule table.

In this example, UNIV, ISP (for example,
1), FOOEXT, FOOINT (for example,
It is assumed that there are four accounts 90) in FIG. Specify the account name enclosed in [].

In this example, the following values can be specified for each account.

Mailserver: POP server or I
Describe a server name such as a MAP server (description is mandatory).

Fetchmailrc: Describes an option description file name. If this is not specified,. fetchmailrc is used.

Username: describes the user name.
If this is not specified, the specification in the option description file is used. Otherwise, the tour control unit 207
Is used (for example, the user name set in the message processing device 200).

Protocol: Describes a protocol (for example, POP3, APOP, IMAP, etc.) used for acquiring mail. If this is not specified, the specification in the option description file is used. Otherwise, various protocols will be tried until the access succeeds, but it is desirable to specify them to avoid unnecessary access.

Port: Describes the port used by the mail acquisition protocol. If not specified, 110 (POP
3, the default value of APOP).

Options: Describes any other command line options. For example, -l 50000 can be used for setting not to receive mail of 50 KB or more, or -B 20 to receive only 20 mails at a time.

Character strings other than the above: Character strings other than the above (for example, ^* .isp.ne.jp = DIRECT in FIG. 3)
Is a device (Mobi) operating the traveling control unit 207.
leCore) is compared with the host name including the domain name, and the value of the first matching entry is used as the connection means. For example, first ^* . isp. ne. If jp matches, DIRECT indicates the connection method. If there is no matching entry, do nothing. ^* Can be used only at the beginning or end of a character string. That is, 133.
196.16. ^* And ^* . foo. co. jp is assumed. The connection method is as follows. NONE ... Do nothing (for example, when connection is not possible). DIRECT ... Direct connection. SOCKS: Connects through a firewall using the SOCKS protocol. In this case, SOCKS: <I
As the <PADDRESS>, the address of the SOCKS server is written in the <IPADDRESS> part. Note that SO
CKS: like <IPADDRESS> /-5,
If 5 is added, SOCKS protocol version 5 is used, and if not added, SOCKS protocol version 4 is used.

In the example of FIG. 3, only the FOOINT has a firewall, and the rule table of FIG.
V, ISP and FOOEXT can be directly connected to each other, but from FOOINT to UNIV, ISP, FOOEXT
In order to access the pop server inside, it is necessary to connect through a firewall using SOCKS,
A setting is made in a case where access from the UNIV, the ISP, and the FOEXT to the pop server in the FOINT is not possible.

Accordingly, for example, in the example of FIG. 1, the message processing device 200 is connected to the network “interna”.
l. foo. co. jp ", PO
When connecting to the P server 102, the SOCKS server and the S
Pass through firewall 104 using OCKS protocol version 5 (ie, for example, [I
In ^SP], *. foo. co. jp = SOCK
S: 202.249.10.98/-5) Also, when connecting to the POP server 106, there is no firewall 104 on the way of the arrival route, so connect directly (that is, for example, [ FOOINT] in advance, such as ^* .foo.co.jp = DIRECT).

The user sends a mail to the message processing device 200 via the user agent 107 or the like after the message processing device 200 is connected to the network as described above, or using the GUI of the message processing device 200 itself. To receive The POP server to be received may be specified when instructing the reception of the mail, may be registered in advance in the message processing device 200,
You may use them suitably together.

When an instruction to receive a mail is issued, the network detection unit 205 of the message processing device 200 determines the connected network from the previously assigned IP address, and sets a predetermined rule table (FIG. With reference to 3), the route to the designated POP server is derived.

In the example of FIG. 1, when the user instructs the POP server 102 and the POP server 106 to connect, the message processing device 200 sets the network “in”
ternal. foo. co. jp ", for example, if a rule table is set for the same purpose as [ISP] or [FOOOINT] in FIG.
The server 102 will be connected using SOCKS protocol version 5, while the POP server 106 will be directly connected.

Thus, the message collection unit 201 of the message processing device 200
After connecting to the OP server 106, the mail received from each server is received and stored in the message storage unit 203.

In the above description, the user has instructed the message processing device 200 to receive the mail. Instead, however, the conditions for receiving the mail in the message processing device 200 in advance (for example, receiving once every day) And the time), it is possible to automatically receive and accumulate the mail at a possible timing after the above condition is satisfied.

Incidentally, depending on various situations such as the remaining capacity of the mail storage capacity of the message processing device 200 and the state of the communication path, it may be better to limit the amount of received mail.

For example, when the message processing device 200 retrieves a mail from the POP server, if the communication path is narrow, such as via a mobile phone, the reception of a large mail takes a long communication time. Therefore, the connection destinations passing through such a communication path are described in a predetermined rule table (FIG. 3), and the size of the mail is checked before actually extracting the mail from the POP server. By preventing the acquisition of large-sized mail, the communication time can be kept short (in this case, large-sized mail is received later when a sufficiently large communication path can be used). For example, as shown in [UNIV] in FIG.
By writing s = -10000 ”, 50
It is instructed not to obtain a mail having a size of KB or more.

Further, for example, the message processing device 200
When extracting a mail from the POP server, if the communication path is narrow, such as connection via a mobile phone, the communication time will be long if the number of messages is large. Therefore, the connection destinations passing through such a communication path are described in a predetermined rule table (FIG. 3), and the number of mails obtained at one time from the POP server is limited, thereby making it possible to perform one-way operation. The communication time can be kept short (in this case, a large-sized mail is received later when a sufficiently large communication path can be used). For example, [UN of FIG.
IV], the entry has "option = -B
By writing "20", it is indicated that the number of mails to be obtained at one time is limited to a maximum of 20 mails.

Incidentally, in [UNIV] of the rule table of FIG. 3, “options = −l 50000 −B 2
0 "and a plurality of constraints are described. In such a case, the constraints are weighted (for example, 50K
Only a maximum of 20 mails smaller than B will be received).

Next, in response to a request for browsing or the like from another device such as the user agent 107, the message processing device 200 presents the mail stored therein (ie, stores the mail in the message processing device 200). The case where the transmitted mail is operated from another device such as the user agent 107) will be described.

The user operates the user agent 107 to make a connection request to the message presenting unit 204 of the message processing device 200.

The message presentation unit 204 of the message processing device 200 starts operating in response to a connection request from the user agent 107.

The user agent 107 sends, to the message presenting unit 204, various operations such as browsing, deleting, and classification of the mail stored in the message storage unit 203 of the message processing device 200 by using, for example, IMAP according to the user's instruction. To instruct.

The message presenting section 204 performs an operation based on an instruction on a message stored in the message storing section 203.

Note that, similarly to a portable mail device or a notebook PC equipped with a mail function, mail stored in the message processing device 200 must be operated using the GUI of the message processing device 200 or the like. Can also.

When the mail stored in the message processing device 200 is to be operated from another device such as the user agent 107, the function or device for handling the mail to the other device is not sufficient. It is also possible that it is not installed.

[0097] Therefore, the message processing device 200 may change the method of presenting the mail, etc., according to the function or performance of the other device or the procedure that can be processed.

For example, if the user agent 107
When the protocol called the AP cannot be used, the message processing device 200 may present the mail using a protocol (for example, the HTTP protocol) that can be used by the user agent 107.

That is, the message processing device 200
The IMAP protocol and the HTTP protocol may be operated to accept requests, and mail may be presented according to the protocol that actually received the request. Alternatively, a protocol to be used may be negotiated between the user agent 107 and the message processing device 200 before exchanging mail.

Further, for example, the user agent 107
When the display capacity is limited, such as when the display area is small, the message processing device 200 responds to the request of the user agent 107 by using a part of the mail (for example, only a part newly added as a reply to the mail). ), And then the user agent 107
May be presented.

Next, the mail storage management (archive, expiration) in the message processing device 200 will be described.

The message processing device 200 of the present embodiment
Is to receive and accumulate mail from the POP server, but since the capacity of the built-in memory is limited, the mail in the message processing device 200 is appropriately stored in an external storage device (archive) and stored in the external storage device. It is preferable to delete (expire) the mail stored in the device from the memory in the message processing device 200.

For example, when it is assumed that mail is received from the POP server every day and that received mail for the past five weeks is stored in the message processing device 200 as shown in FIG. The mail group for one day newly received and stored in the message processing device 200 shown in b) is stored in the external storage device, and the oldest five days before the week stored in the message processing device 200 is stored in the message processing device 200. Is deleted (the deleted mail group is already stored in the external storage device). As a result, new received mails for five weeks are accumulated in the message processing device 200 as shown in FIG. 4C (the mail group for the five weeks is also stored in the external storage device).

In addition to the method of archiving and expiring under the timing conditions determined as described above,
The memory storage capacity of the message processing device 200 is the first
Is smaller than the reference value of
Various methods are conceivable, such as a method of archiving and expiring according to the condition in consideration of the memory capacity, a method of using them together, such as a method of erasing mails in the order of old reception until the reference value exceeds the reference value.

The method of archiving or expiring may be set appropriately by the user.

Note that the external storage device for storing the mail may differ depending on the mail address and the like.

Further, a designated mail or a mail satisfying a designated condition may be excluded from the above-mentioned control and may be stored without being deleted.

The external storage device is the message processing device 20.
0 (method of saving directly from the message processing device 200 to an external storage device) and a method of connecting to another device such as the user agent 107 or a home computer (from the message processing device 200 via another device). External storage device).

The processing (storing and erasing) for the mail storage management is performed in the state of being connected to the external storage device in the case of the former connection method or in the case of the user agent 107 or the like in the case of the latter connection method. A method for automatically starting up the message processing device 200 based on preset conditions (while connected to another device), the message processing device 2
00, a method of starting by a user operation on a GUI of 00,
There is a method of starting up via another device such as the user agent 107 and the like.

For example, the user agent 107 searches the message processing apparatus 200 so as to search and present a mail satisfying a condition specified by the user (for example, a certain number of days has elapsed) periodically or according to the user's instruction.
To the message presenting unit 204. The message presenting unit 204 performs a search based on the instruction for the message stored in the message storage unit 203, and presents a mail group of the search result. User agent 107
Stores the presented mail group in the external storage device.

For example, the user agent 107
Instructs the message presenting unit 204 of the message processing device 200 to search for and delete mail that satisfies the conditions specified by the user (for example, that a certain number of days have passed) periodically or according to the user's instruction. The message presenting unit 204 performs a search based on the instruction on the message stored in the message storage unit 203,
Delete the corresponding mail group.

Next, a case will be described in which a mail passed from another device such as the user agent 107 is transmitted to the corresponding SMTP server (or another server that relays to the corresponding SMTP server).

When the user creates a new mail or creates a reply mail to the received mail, the user agent 107 transmits the mail using the SMTP protocol according to the user's instruction.

At this time, the user agent 107
The message processing device 200 is designated as an SMTP server for sending mail.

The message delivery receiving section 202b of the message processing device 200 receives the mail from the user agent 107 and stores it in the message storage section 203.

The message delivery transmitting unit 202a of the message processing device 200
From the mail address of the destination of the unsent message stored in the message storage unit 203, a network domain to be transmitted is calculated, and an SMTP server to be accessed to deliver mail to the relevant network domain (reachability to the relevant network domain is checked). (The SMTP server) is obtained by inquiring of the DNS server 109.

Then, a mail is transmitted to the obtained SMTP server.

If an SMTP server that can reach the relevant network domain cannot be obtained, the mail to that network domain is sent to another network where the reachable SMTP server exists, for example. It will be transmitted again after the message processing device 200 is connected.

The SMTP server to be accessed may be manually set.

According to the message processing apparatus 200 as described above, for example, a certain user has a plurality of accounts,
A device such as a PC that handles mail addressed to each mail address (another device with which the message processing device 200 cooperates)
Even if they are connected to different networks and are set up at a distance from each other,
E-mail addressed to a plurality of e-mail addresses is stored in one place, that is, in the message processing device 200, and is centrally managed.
This is easily carried around, and the message processing device 2
00 alone, and can be used in conjunction with other devices at the destination. Also, the message processing device 20
You can easily back up and delete mail downloaded to the Internet.

When the mail stored in the POP server is downloaded to the message processing device 200, the mail may be deleted from the POP server. In this case, the message processing device 200
The original data of the mail is stored in the internal storage device, and the backup data is stored in the external storage device.
Further, even if the mail stored in the POP server is downloaded to the message processing device 200, the mail is not immediately deleted from the POP server, and a predetermined condition such as elapse of a predetermined time is satisfied. It may be deleted when done.

In the following, as one embodiment of this embodiment, a display screen / keyboard, etc. having the same size and weight and the same size as a small mail-only terminal, and an Ethernet and a mobile phone Assuming a connector having a connection connector, what kind of mail processing is performed according to an actual user operation will be described according to a specific example.

First, the following sequence is assumed as the behavior of a typical mobile user in one day. Here, the device carried by the mobile user is a message processing device to which the present invention is applied, a normal notebook PC, or a dedicated mobile mail terminal.

Step 1) In the morning, when leaving the house, go out with the equipment.

Step 2) Request morning at a coffee shop. The mobile phone 300 is connected to the device. Only reception is performed while having breakfast (FIG. 5 (a)). At that time, in the case of the message processing device to which the present invention is applied, it is possible to collectively receive mails addressed to a plurality of mail addresses.

Step 3) Commuting by train. Operate the device at the seat in the car and scan the received mail (Fig. 5
(B)). At this time, in the case of the message processing device to which the present invention is applied, if mails addressed to a plurality of mail addresses have been received in Step 2, they can be browsed.

Step 4) Arrive at the office. Create a reply mail to the received mail and give a reply. At this time, in the case of the message processing device to which the present invention is applied, the connection can be made to the intranet of the office via Ethernet, and the operation can be performed from the larger PC 302 (FIG. 5).
(C)). If there is a large-sized mail that could not be received in Step 2, it can be received here. Also, if e-mails to a plurality of e-mail addresses have been received, a reply e-mail can be sent here.

Step 5) Go out to the business partner with the device. When a question is received on the go, the user operates the device to search for and reply to the past mail of the same case (FIG. 5D).

Step 6) Return to the office from whereabouts.
In the case of the message processing device to which the present invention is applied, a backup of newly arrived mail in the device can be stored in the external storage device via the PC 302 in the office, and the old mail in the device can be deleted (FIG. 5E). ).

Step 7) Return home by train. Read private mail.

Step 8) After dinner, create a reply mail to the private mail. At this time, in the case of the message processing device to which the present invention is applied, the message processing device can be connected to the home computer 304 and operated from the home computer (FIG. 5F).

Step 9: Before going to bed, backup of private mail and deletion of old mail are performed.

At this time, in the case of the message processing device to which the present invention is applied, a backup of the newly arrived mail in the device can be stored in the external storage device via the home computer, and the old mail in the device can be deleted ( FIG. 5 (f)).

Here, a user A using a message processing apparatus to which the present invention is applied, a user B using a normal notebook PC, and a user C using a mail-only terminal are described below.
Evaluate how the usability and ease of processing in each of the above steps differ.

[0135] Step 1) Carrying of the device The ordinary notebook PC of the user b is clearly inferior in terms of the size and weight of the device.

Step 2) Communication by Cellular Phone Normally, a notebook PC is a general-purpose computer, so it is necessary to mount a peripheral device (communication card) for the cellular phone and execute a connection sequence. Because of the support, the operation is easy for the users A and C (see FIG. 5).
(A)).

[0137] Step 3) Use during movement Considering the size and weight of the equipment, the normal notebook PC of the user b is inferior in operability (see FIG. 5B).

Step 4) Normal input / output The operability of the mail-only terminal of the user C is poor because the input device is poor. The message processing apparatus of the present invention for the user A can use the screen, keyboard, mouse, etc. of the office PC by cooperating with the office PC. In some cases, operability far exceeding that can be realized (see FIG. 5C).

[0139] Step 5) Search for past mail at the destination. Users A and B can search and respond to past mail on the spot (see FIG. 5 (d)), but such usage is assumed. If the user C does not have a mail-only terminal, the past mail must be stored in the office and cannot be handled.

Step 6) Mail Synchronization When Returning from Outside User A can back up only the mails since the previous backup, so that it can be completed in a short time and old mails can be deleted automatically (FIG. 5 (e)). reference). On the other hand, the users B and C need manual processing.

Step 7) Browsing of mail of another account via ISP This is the same as Step 2) and Step 3) described above.

Step 8) Sending mail to another account via ISP (see FIG. 5 (f)) This is the same as Step 4) above.

Step 9) Synchronizing the mail of the ISP account (see FIG. 5F) This is the same as Step 6) described above.

If the portable device is small, such as a mail-only terminal, the input / output portion, which is an interface with the user, is inevitably small, and the usability deteriorates. on the other hand,
If the user interface is large, such as a notebook PC, it is bulky and difficult to carry.
Considering the convenience of the user, it is desirable that when carrying, it is not bulky, and when using it, the user interface is large. These conditions are basically contradictory, and conventional mail-only terminals and PCs cannot sufficiently satisfy both user's wishes.

In the message processing apparatus to which the present invention is applied, not only is the size of a mail dedicated terminal small or smaller than a mail-only terminal, but it is easy to carry. Since an operation can be performed by easily connecting to an easy-to-use device, it is possible to fulfill both user's wishes.

That is, in the message processing device to which the present invention is applied, when there is no other device such as a PC near when going out, the message processing device is operated independently.
Can read and write mail. Also, if there is a device such as a PC near the office or home, connect to the message processing device using a network, browse the data in the message processing device from the outside, and read and write mail. Can be.

On the other hand, it is also conceivable to use different devices depending on the situation, such as a PC in an office and a mail-only terminal in a destination. However, in this case, the messages to be read and written are distributed to each device, and the necessary e-mails are not
Unified handling is difficult.

In the message processing apparatus to which the present invention is applied, a desired mail can be read and written even when linked to any device, so that unified handling is possible without dispersing messages.

In the following, the message processing device 20
A description will be given of an example of a backup policy that makes use of the characteristic of 0.

In the present message processing device, original mail data is centrally stored and can be handled in a unified manner, but on the other hand, it is collected in one place (message processing device) due to failure or loss of the message processing device. It is possible that all of the received emails will be lost. In order to avoid this, it is desirable to provide a backup function. On the other hand, since the storage area of the message processing device is limited, it is not possible to keep storing the mail indefinitely.Therefore, there is provided an expiration process for selecting an appropriate mail at an appropriate time and deleting the mail from the message processing device. Is desirable.

Several conditions can be considered for the conditions under which the two functions of backup and expiration are performed.

For example, as a typical example, a backup policy of backing up all messages arriving up to the present time after the last backup time, and erasing messages from the oldest one until the necessary free space is obtained. Expire policy is conceivable.

The copy to the message processing device is
It is not always necessary. For example, when the communication state is poor, a policy can be set such that exceptionally large messages are not copied.

[0154] Regarding reading by another device, it is preferable to show the message while holding it in the message processing device, instead of passing the message. Thus, it is possible to prevent the messages collected in the message processing device from being dispersed.

Further, a protocol (communication method) to be used to retrieve mail is changed depending on the positional relationship between the network to which the message processing device is connected and the network in which the POP server exists.

Further, in addition to the fact that the network to be connected at each time is different, there is also a possibility that other devices connected to the same network at each time are different. That is, the user places the message processing device carried by the user on another device attached to the place (for example, a desktop PC at work, a notebook PC at home, a mobile phone at home, etc.).
To work with the message processing device and the other device as one mail client.

To summarize the above, the message processing apparatus of the present embodiment has, in a typical usage form: (a) collects messages (mails) stored in a plurality of POP servers as a POP client; As an IMAP server, a function of providing a browsing service to another mail processing device (PDA or PC) can be achieved.

As a result, from the mail user's point of view, the conventional POP server alone was used. The problem that a message captured by a certain computer could not be viewed by another computer. If you keep it without deleting it, you can see it from another computer, but it is difficult to manage the history, there was only the IMAP service.-You can see messages only within the range of one message server Has the advantage that it can be solved all at once.

Here, other devices that are connected to the same network as the own device and that perform message input / output are
By notifying the address of the own device, the SMTP server setting of the other device is changed to the message processing device. In this case, the message processing device itself becomes an SMTP server and transmits mail.

Therefore, according to the present embodiment, all mail addressed to the user gathers in the message processing device regardless of the current position of the user. Good. This makes it possible to manage mail history and collectively manage information on actions (response, sorting, erasing, etc.) for each mail. Yes), it is possible to construct a very desirable processing environment for processing with a unified policy.

In the above, a configuration example in which the message processing device itself has a user interface will be described, and the operability of such a message processing device with another mail processing device (portable PC, PDA) and the like will be described. Although a comparison was made, the present invention is also applicable to a message processing device without a user interface.

That is, as shown in FIG. 6, a message processing device 200 having no user interface and another device 320 having a user interface are connected or directly connected via an intranet or a home net. The two are operated in cooperation, and the user processes the mail in the message processing device 200 using the user interface of the other device.

In this configuration example, the message processing device 20
Zero input mechanism or display mechanism can be omitted or very small, and it is excellent in portability such as card or stick, and PDA or PC.
It is also possible to take a compact shape that is easy to connect to.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

That is, in the conventional mobile communication, a message such as an e-mail to the user is downloaded to the portable PC, and as a result, the received message is dispersedly stored in a plurality of locations, and cannot be managed collectively. There was a problem. Another problem is how to access the information distribution server when receiving data from a plurality of mail servers and in consideration of the environment connected at the destination. This is because, for example, when connecting within a corporate network, it is necessary to consider an access policy such that a security protocol such as SSH / SOCKS must be used to access an external mail server.

According to this embodiment, by storing, storing, and managing messages from a plurality of message delivery servers in a user-specific message processing device, unified message access and batch processing of message processing are possible. It is.

Also, by displaying a message in cooperation with the surrounding browsing environment, for example, an operation environment to which the user is accustomed can be realized, and even in a limited display environment such as a PDA, the message content can be processed. By displaying, it is possible to display even in a limited state.

Further, by recognizing the network environment to which the message processing device is connected and determining the communication method to the message delivery server in consideration of this, the user is aware of the network to which the message processing device is connected, and This makes it possible to provide an easy operation environment by saving the trouble of setting.

In the above description, an electronic mail is used as a message. However, the present invention can be applied to a system that handles a message other than the electronic mail.

Each of the above functions can be implemented as software.

Further, the present embodiment is a computer in which a program for causing a computer to execute predetermined means (or for causing a computer to function as predetermined means, or for causing a computer to realize predetermined functions) is recorded. It can also be implemented as a readable recording medium.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but can be implemented with various modifications within the technical scope.

[0173]

According to the present invention, messages delivered from a plurality of information servers on a network can be centrally managed by a message processing device, and messages stored in the message processing device can be managed. Can be operated in a unified manner. In addition, good operability can be obtained by using the user interface of another device with which the message processing device cooperates, and good portability can be obtained by providing the message processing device with a user interface.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a network system connected to a message processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exemplary view showing a configuration example of a message processing apparatus according to the embodiment;

FIG. 3 is an exemplary view showing an example of a reception rule of the message processing apparatus according to the embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an archive and an expiration;

FIG. 5 is an exemplary view for explaining a usage pattern of a user who uses the message processing device according to the embodiment;

FIG. 6 is an exemplary view showing another configuration example of the message processing apparatus according to the embodiment;

[Explanation of symbols]

 70 ISP 80 Internet 90 Internal LAN 101 SMTP server 102 POP server 104 Firewall 105 SMTP server 106 POP server 107 User agent 109 DNS server 110 DHCP server 111 SOCKS server 200 Message processing Device 21 Client mechanism 201 Message collection unit 202a Message delivery transmission unit 22 Server mechanism 202b Message delivery reception unit 203 Message storage unit 204 Message presentation unit 23 Assist mechanism 205 Network detection unit 206 Service public information unit 207: Tour control unit

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 5B089 GA12 GA21 GB01 HA06 HA13 HB07 HB10 JA31 KA01 LA14 LA15 LB25 5K033 AA09 BA13 CB01 CB08 CC01 DA02 DA06 DA19 DB12 DB14 EC03

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A message processing device carried by a user and used by connecting to different networks at different times, wherein a plurality of message server groups distributed and arranged on a plurality of networks are registered in accordance with the designation of the user. Means for recognizing a network to which the own apparatus is connected, and means for determining a communication method for accessing the registered message server group; and using the determined communication method, the message server group. Means for taking out a message group delivered to the user and storing the message group in its own device; and another device for inputting and outputting the stored message group connected to the same network as its own device. And a means for outputting in response to a request from the message processing device. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: means for storing the message group collected from the message server group and stored in the storage means in the message processing device in an external storage device in accordance with a condition designated by a user. The message processing device according to claim 1. 3. The system according to claim 1, further comprising: means for deleting the message group collected from the message server group, stored in the storage means in the message processing device, and stored in the external storage device in accordance with a condition designated by a user. 3. The message processing device according to claim 2, wherein: 4. The message processing device according to claim 1, wherein said output means receives the request from another device which performs the message input / output, and collects the request from the message server group according to a function of the other device. 2. The message processing device according to claim 1, wherein a message group stored in the storage means is processed and transmitted. 5. The message processing device inquires of a network domain to which the message processing device is connected, and uses the query to determine an accessible one of the plurality of registered message servers and a communication condition for access. The message processing device according to claim 1, wherein the determination is made. 6. An apparatus for performing message input / output to another apparatus connected to the same network as the apparatus for inputting / outputting a message, by means of a spontaneous advertisement for the network or in response to an inquiry from the other apparatus. 2. The message processing device according to claim 1, further comprising means for notifying an address of the device. 7. In response to a request from a user input from an input device associated with the own device, the message server group is accessed via a public wireless network terminal device built in or externally connected to the own device. Means for acquiring and storing a message in response to a request from a user input from an input device attached to the device,
8. The message processing device according to claim 1, further comprising: means for displaying on a display screen attached to the own device. 8. A message processing device which is carried by a user and is used by being connected to a different network from time to time, wherein the message processing device is connected to the same network as its own device and performs message input / output. Means for notifying the address of the own device, means for temporarily storing a transmission message input from the other device in response to a request from the other device, and a plurality of devices distributed and arranged on a plurality of networks. Means for specifying a message server having reachability to a destination of the transmission message among message servers; and means for transferring the temporarily stored transmission message to the specified message server. Message processing unit. 9. A message processing device which is carried by a user and is used by being connected to a different network at different times, and another device which inputs and outputs a message to and from the message processing device connected to the same network. A message processing system for exchanging messages with a plurality of message servers distributed on a plurality of networks specified by a user, wherein the message processing device is connected to the same network as the own device. Means for notifying the address of the own apparatus to another apparatus which performs input / output of the message, and communication for accessing the plurality of message server groups from a network which is registered in advance and connected to the own apparatus. According to the information on the method, access the message server group and deliver to the user Means for retrieving the stored message group and storing it in its own device; means for outputting the stored message group to the other device in response to a request from the other device; and the other device Means for transmitting, from the network to which the own apparatus is connected, a message having reachability to a destination message server among transmission messages input from the other apparatus in response to a request from the other apparatus. A message processing system, characterized in that: 10. A message processing method in a message processing device carried by a user and used by connecting to a different network at different times, wherein the network recognizes the network to which the own device is connected, and is registered in advance. With reference to information on a communication method for accessing the plurality of message server groups from a network to which the own apparatus is connected, a communication method for accessing the registered message server group is determined, and the determined A message group delivered to the user is retrieved from the message server group using a communication method, stored in the own device, and the stored message group is connected to the same network as the own device. A message that is output in response to a request from another device that performs message input / output. Processing method.